You can find the popular barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) with fruit in the deserts of Southwestern North America. However, can you eat barrel cactus fruit? The answer is yes.
As the blooms wilt away, small pineapple-shaped greenish fruit appears. The most interesting part? Left untouched, the fruit has been known to last a whole calendar year.
You can remove this fruit with ease. However, it’s not the most favorite among cacti lovers because it’s quite bitter and dry.
Native Americans consumed it as emergency food during harsh drought conditions. It’s described as light and lemony, and you can consume it raw. The shiny black seeds aren’t hard to remove, and they’re edible as well!
However, the barrel cacti fruit isn’t quite as yummy as some say. Therefore, not many people include it in their diet.
In today’s article, we will discuss barrel cactus fruits in detail and share a few interesting facts about them. That being said, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Can You Eat Barrel Cactus Fruit?
You can consume barrel cactus fruit. In fact, it’s very easy to remove. Just a twist will get it in your hand. Just remove the dried flower attached to it and watch out for the spines.
Furthermore, you can toast the seeds of this cactus and add them to your future recipes. They’re perfect for dipping in broth or soup, or preparing tacos. Keep in mind that the plant’s ribs have toxic sap that can cause skin irritation. The sharp needles don’t have any toxins, but they can still irritate your hands.
Cactus fruits come in different shapes. They’re edible and safe to eat. The only difference you can notice among different fruits is the taste. Some have a more bitter and sour taste than others.
Is Barrel Cactus Fruit Good for You?
Although it’s not the most delicious cactus fruit on the planet, barrel cactus fruit is still good for you. It’s rich in vitamins A and C. The pulp can be used topically as a painkiller.
But here’s the real kicker. The fruit isn’t the only edible part of this famous cactus. You can also consume the seeds, inner flesh, and flower buds.
The flower buds are harvested in the early and mid-summer, while the flesh can be harvested at any time. Barrel cactus fruits are harvested in late November and early March. People also harvest the roots once the cactus has fallen after storms.
Using Barrel Cactus fruit in desserts
The fruit of this cactus is best used in sweet dishes. The natural tartness of this fruit goes well with a hint of sugar. So, you can easily cook the fruit with some agave syrup and make a yummy jelly, jam, or sweet and sour chutney.
Also, you can add fresh fruit to your baked goods such as cakes or muffins, or utilize it raw in salsas, salads, etc. Once barrel cactus fruit has dried, the small black seeds can be ground into powder or added whole into bread, crackers, granola, hot cereal, smoothies, and soups, so it’s a super versatile ingredient.
Personally, we like the barrel cactus fruit because it’s the only one without spines, so you can easily remove it from the plant and eat it raw. We would describe the taste as a mix of kiwi and lemon.
More Information About Cactus Fruits
Most cacti flourish in the spring. However, the barrel cactus blooms and provides fruits in the summer. And, although all cacti fruit can be safely consumed, they’re not all palatable.
The best fruits come from the barrel cactus, prickly pear, and Saguaro. You can find 6 different species of barrel cactus in the Tucson, AZ region.
Common ones include Fishhook barrel, Ferocactus wislizeni, and Coville barrel. The Coville barrel grows up to 1-4 feet high, while the Fishhook barrel grows up to 2-4 feet high.
The Coville barrel also has bright red flowers and a red, hooked, and flattened central spine, whereas the Fishhook barrel cactus has orange and sometimes yellow and red flowers. It also has strongly-hooked spines surrounded by multiple radial spines.
Both cacti provide green fruits. However, they gradually turn yellow. Together with the flower, the fruits look like small pineapples.
The fruit is dry but doesn’t rot away like the fruits of prickly pears and saguaros. It’s common to have the fruit stay on the plant for a year if someone or something doesn’t pick it off.
Additionally, if you pick fruits that have been on the plant for a while, check for insects unless, of course, you don’t mind the additional protein. As already mentioned, you can also eat the flower buds.
Native tribes often boiled and utilized the buds like cabbage. The reason why we appreciate this cacti fruit is that studies have shown that it lowers blood cholesterol. So, if you have a cactus fruit in your yard, go ahead and take a bite. It’s really good for your health!
Interestingly, you’ll notice that barrel cacti usually lean toward the south so the top can receive the most sunlight.
Fun Fact!
Another fun fact about the Fishhook barrel cactus is that the Seri Indians have utilized this cactus for emergency water.
However, drinking the juice while being hungry often causes diarrhea. Some Seri Indians report pain in their bones as they walk a long distance after drinking the juice.
This tribe also refers to the Coville barrel cactus as the “barrel that kills” because consuming the flesh instead of the fruits of this cactus causes diarrhea, nausea, and temporary paralysis. However, you can still utilize the pulp externally as a painkiller, as mentioned earlier.
Final Verdict
Every cacti fruit is edible and safe. Scientific research has proved that eating cacti fruit provides many health benefits. For instance, they can prevent lipid oxidation, speed up the wound healing process, and lower the blood sugar level. So, go ahead and eat your barrel cactus fruit!